Hachi-One Diver

Dive!

Japanese TV drama

Admittedly, I only followed this drama because of the lead. I was smitten by him acting all goofy and stupid. But hey, jdoramas are also viable media for fangirling right? Unlike Yamapi though, it was the first time I encountered Mizobata Junpei and checking on his wiki entry leads me to conclude that he’s relatively a new artist. He’s already earned a fan right here. Hehehe.

Hachi-One Diver is like an anime plucked from paper with real people acting the 2D characters. The title of the drama (which incidenatally is the a.k.a. of the lead) comes literally means 81 Diver. The name comes from the 81 squares of the Shogi gameboard and “Diver” comes from his game move. He, (figuratively and quite literally) dives in to Shogi and becomes one badass player. Shogi is like the Chess we know, only harder.

The plot is not that deep and well-thought out though it tries hard too. But this doesn’t mean that it wasn’t engaging. Nay, I was practically watching episodes one after the other because I was left hanging every time. If you know the anime Hikaru No Go, it is something similar to that. Interestingly, the elements of a tournament based anime has been successfully transposed into live-action format, complete with the amazing visual effects and exaggerated fits of passion to their game.

This drama is fascinating because it closely follows the genre of other highly successful anime series and the only difference is that there are real people here. Think Cooking Master Boy, think Prince of Tennis, think Slam Dunk, think Bey Blade. But this time, you can fangirl over a real boy. Get the drift?

Being a semi-otaku drama, moe moments were inevitable. Soyo’s Maid Version was intended. Moe moments: peek-a-boo of Mikuru’s cleavage, Sugata being smothered by Mukuru’s breasts, and everything Mikuru. If all countries had a Mikuru there would be no wars.

Of course, there were a lot times when I had to roll my eyes. Some embellishments were already over the top but hey, this is exactly the genre’s style.

I just found out that this is a midnight drama and not all midnight dramas are brilliant. But this one takes the cake, although a semi-sweet cake.

Verdict: If you want a taste of moe, go ahead and watch this. If you liked the animes I mentioned above then by all means watch this. But if you’re already tired of your childhood and hates nonsensical things, stay away from this drama.

Info
Leeched from: d-addicts
fansubs by SBK

Rookies

"I want to play baseball with everyone again"

Japanese TV Drama

Sports drama always had a soft spot for me. They're nice and entertaining with a hint of feel-good atmosphere under the backdrop of youth and teenage angst. I think Rookies is sort of experimental when it combined the proven formulae of a Sensei and Sports Drama.

Rookies begin (surprise?) with a bunch of senior high delinquents with no clear future. Then, here comes a transfer teacher (surprise again?) that would change them forever. Add that into a bowl of discrimination and angst and use Baseball as a medium to straighten these kids out and you get Rookies.

I like sports dramas because they give you the thrill of a real competition with the hint of some high school drama. And this is Baseball, baby!

Add Ichihara Hayato’s heavenly and Koide Keisuke’s adorable visage, and now you’ve got whipped cream on top. I haven’t encountered a Japanese Dorama that kept me this captivated for a long time.

The drama would have been this close to perfection if not for the overdone stereotypical portrayal of a “delinquent.” Read: crazy hairstyles and bogus sporting of the school uniform. Don’t we always get this? For me, I’ve started overlooking this and focused on the compelling story. It is that compelling - and empathizing. It's so nice to see kids mature slowly but surely.

And when the OST plays on the background, my hair just stands on end. A Kiseki (Miracle) indeed.

Verdict: If you’re not as forgiving as me when it comes to lame high-school portrayals and construction, don’t venture here. But if you like sports dramas like me, this is definitely a worthy find.

Info
Leeched from: d-addicts.com

Code Blue

"I will do it. I will become a famous doctor."

Japanese TV Drama

It wouldn't the first Japanese hospital drama. One word: Yamapi! Who would a JE fangirl (in this case a fanboy) wouldn't watch a Pi drama? Who wouldn't? Tell me!

Anyhoot, I've only seen the first episode and made me f*cking breathless. I'm not talking about Pi here so please let us put him aside for a while though it's hard.

It already made me think in so many levels. A fifteen year old getting an arm amputation? Hello?! The first episode is so jam-packed it placed the four major characters in so much drama I lost my breath.

And hell was the budget. This is everything a medical drama with qualities you can recognize from shows such as Grey's Anatomy, House MD or ER. But with this one, they Fly! This is a drama about doctors who fly to where they are needed (called the Dr. Heli faction). There were so many flying helicopter shots which could have cost the same we produce an entire teleserye. Pinagkagastosan grabe.

Verdict: Watch it! Even though you're not a Pi fangirl. There are just very few dramas coming out that have been well thought out and this is one of them. It will move your emotions guaranteed.

Info: d-addicts wiki
Leeched from: d-addicts.com

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